St. Louis Adoption & Foster Care Resources

Whether you are a family hoping to adopt or a woman facing an unplanned pregnancy, you may have a number of questions about how to start the adoption process. Here, you can find the resources you need to help you take the first steps toward adoption.

Adoption Agencies in St. Louis

Both expecting mothers and hopeful families will require the help of an adoption professional to complete their adoption plan. Adoption agencies can be particularly beneficial, as they are full-service providers who can help you with every step of the process. Follow the links below to explore some of the adoption professionals in your area:

Home Study Providers

The home study is the process in which a social worker reviews your home and family to make sure you are ready to adopt a child. This process consists of a background check and collection of documents, a home inspection, and an interview of everyone in the household.

It is recommended that you begin your home study as soon as possible. If you are ready to get started, you can contact one of the following Missouri-licensed professionals:

Near St. Louis:

Sharon Mink
314-477-4253
Along with her services as a home study provider, social worker Sharon Mink offers counseling and information for families as well as prospective birth parents.

Love Basket Adoptions
636-797-4100
Love Basket Adoptions provides information on their website about the home study process, the steps and requirements, and a breakdown of the fees they charge.

Christian Family Services
314-968-2216
In addition to pre- and post-placement services, Christian Family Services is licensed in Missouri to complete your home study.

In Missouri:

Missouri Adoption Services
417-882-3656
With a branch in Ozark, Missouri, ABI can help St. Louis families interested in either domestic or international adoption.

American Adoptions
1-800-ADOPTION
This national adoption agency is licensed in six states to complete home studies and has social workers across the state of Missouri.

St. Louis Hospitals

A crucial part of an expecting mother’s adoption plan is preparing for her hospital stay. If you are pursuing adoption for your child, you will want to speak to your adoption specialist and healthcare provider as your due date approaches. Together, you will be able to plan what kind of delivery experience you want, who you want to be with you, and how much time you would like with your baby.

As you begin thinking about your hospital trip, you can contact one of the following nearby hospitals:

Laws and Requirements to Adopt in Missouri

When pursuing an adoption, potential birth parents and adoptive families must all abide by the laws of their state to ensure that the adoption is legally recognized. If you are adopting or placing a child in St. Louis, visit our page on How to Adopt in Missouri for detailed information about the process.

Below, you can find a brief overview of consent laws for birth parents and adoption eligibility for adoptive parents.

Birth Parents:

After the birth of a child, the birth parents must both terminate their parental rights before the child can be adopted. Missouri’s consent laws state that a mother cannot legally consent to an adoption until at least 48 hours after giving birth. This protects her from making a decision under duress and gives her time to deliberate before signing the relinquishment papers.

There are no regulations regarding when the birth father can terminate his rights. In some instances, the explicit consent of the father is not needed to move forward in an adoption, but it should always be obtained if possible. If the father of the child cannot be contacted or his consent cannot be obtained for any reason, speak to your adoption attorney about your options.

Adoptive Families:

Before pursuing adoption in St. Louis, Missouri families should review the state’s basic adoption requirements. In Missouri, any individual or couple can adopt a child, but if a married individual wants to adopt without his or her spouse, a court may dismiss their petition.

Additionally, your adoption professional may have extra requirements regarding your age, marital status, or other factors. Take into account the unique requirements of different professionals when you are choosing who to work with in your adoption.

County Court Information

Below, you can find information on the county courts in Greater St. Louis, which you may need to know when you appear in court to finalize an adoption:

Things to Do in St. Louis

Adoptive parents, if they are adopting from out of state, must remain in the birth mother’s state for 7-10 business days after placement. This allows time for the necessary legal clearances to go through so you can take your baby home. In the meantime, you can visit some of the following locations and attractions in St. Louis: